Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by kickbackbaz on 2010-11-01 15:24:05

Ok. ive had my mkii 212 for 5 months now. Ive tried the 1.50 update and the 2.0 update and to be perfectly honest neither of them come close to the great sound u get with 1.17!

Face it line 6, Your 2 updates are useless! Sure u get added effects and sv edit connections but whats the point if the amp models sound shit?????

I installed 1.50 when it came out, then went back to 1.17

Tried 2.0,, then went back to 1.17

Seriously, this amps been rolled back more times than a porn stars foreskin!!!

Line 6. Most of the threads on here ask for a few bug fixes, the new effects and NO CHANGES TO AMP MODELS!

If u listened to your customers then surely this would have been the correct way 2 go with the 2.0 update?

My advice for mkii 212 users

Roll back to 1.17

Turn the amp on its side on stage

ROCK!!!

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by steelstringer on 2010-11-01 15:35:24

I've had my SV Mk2 112 for about 1 year now and have done all of the updates (including the most recent 2.0). I honestly haven't noticed any changes to the amp models at all. In fact, I think that the amp sounds even better (I have added both an eq pedal and overdrive, btw) So, I was wondering, is this exclusively an issue with the 212 and SV100 amps?

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by Karl_Houseknecht on 2010-11-01 16:31:31

No, it's an issue with the 112 as well. The amp models, especially the higher gain, are anemic sounding in 1.5 and 2.0.

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by steelstringer on 2010-11-01 19:33:54

Hmmm. Then I wonder if the pedals that I added just "softened the blow" of these changes. I should also add that I very seldom use any models past the Hi Gain Amber, so that might affect my opinion of the amp's overall tone. I really want to roll it back to the original software (out of curiosity...), but now I'm hooked on the effects and the editing abilities of 2.0.

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by Gitarzz on 2010-11-03 21:57:43

Thanks kickbackbaz for saving me a lot of time and hassle. 1.17 it is. Yet another thing on my list that I'm not happy about with this amp.

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by stevementzer on 2010-11-04 07:58:25

I used to feel your pain. 1.17 was the only way to get a good high gain sound..... The additional effects were not worth the crappy modeling. For those who swear that they sound better, I have a collection of stage rehearsals that paint a very different picture.

With 1.17, the high-gain models (specifically high gain amber) were full, punchy and had loads of harmonics.

With 1.5+, they turned into tinny buzz factories... much like the podXT live.

There are those who swear that if you use an EQ pedal or some overdrive emulation, it fixes everything. I am old school and dont think that I should have to chain a bunch of pedals together to make a bad sound good. The pedals should be used to color the tone, not fix it.

The tone stack on ALL the firmware revisions were useless. The master volume was lame. It went from dead silent to ear splitting loud in the first 10% of the knob. That is an analog part... so it was simply a bad sweep range choice by Line6.

I was also a little miffed that Line6 pitched the amp as a 'real' tube amp, with preamp tubes..... only to find out later that the preamp tubes are NOT part of the preamp signal chain. That was a little cheeky of line6..... because the sales and marketing materials were very, very ambiguous....

But what *really* killed it for me was the 60ms of 'dead air' when switching between models/patches. This behaviour was repeatable on EVERY spider valve MKII (1x12 or 2x12) in guitar center.... so it certainly wasn't an issue with mine in particular.

Apologists will say that 60ms is not really noticeable. It was enough for my drummer to notice.... and if he can hear it from behind his kit, the crowd can hear it too. I really doubt that Line6 can fix it because the DPS unit needs to reload the new patch. Pro effects units contain dual processors to allow for spill over.... not in this case.

At the end of the day, Line6 pitched the MKII as a 'live' amp.... but it has serious deficiencies in that regard.

Ultimately, I wound up selling my 2x12 and floorboard for $600. (OUCH!).

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by mindjulian76 on 2011-04-01 10:22:33

Yes!!!!

i upgraded my spider valve hd100 to firmware 2.00........now the fantastic high gain sound has disappeared...

2 suggestion for line 6:

- resolve the channel switching delay

- recreate sound of the original firmware version 1.17.

thanks Julian

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by Dino334 on 2011-04-01 12:48:15

+1 on resolving the delay in patch change

-1 in changing the amps back. I LOVE the sound & tone I get from my patches since the 2.0 update. The metal amber is my GO TO high gain sound. Toss the screamer in the mix and it's golden!! Even the insane models are good. The screamer seems to tighten up the sound and with an eq in the mix, the tone isn;t sucked up. With the head and cabinet, the mixture is perfect with the most recent update. May not be the case with the 112 & 212, but definitely with the head and cab. That's my 2 cents worth. LEAVE THE AMP MODELS ALONE FOR THE HD100's !! THEY SOUND GREAT WITH THE 2.0 !!

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by mindjulian76 on 2011-04-02 11:02:48

in my opinion the firmware 1.17 sound better than 2.00 especially with high gain setting:)

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by scotye66 on 2011-04-03 18:41:32

I have the mkII 2-12 Combo.

I would like to go back to 1.17 and check it out myself. Along with the high gain issue and has so much power at not even a quarter on the volume. If i remember correctly, on 1.17 it was much quieter at lower setting then the 2.0 ???

My main question is what is the proper way to get back the the 1.17 from the currently loaded 2.0 ??? Please help, thanks.

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by jws1982 on 2011-04-04 11:54:48

You can download the firmware from Line 6's downloads section, then use Monkey to install it on the amp.

For my tastes, 1.17 models sounded better on the combos, but 1.5/2.0 models sound better on the HD100/412. The head/cab has more bass response than the combos. With the 1.17 models on the head, it's just way too much. It sounds good at low volumes when playing by yourself, but that's about it.

My combos, however, have less bass response. The 1.17 firmware evens out the lows nicely. 1.5 or 2.0 on them sounds a little thin.

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by mindjulian76 on 2011-04-04 12:26:44

jws1982...can i downgrade to 1.17 firmware without using internet?is it correct?i'll hope 'cause i don't have a internet connection in my practice room....

about the models..i use hd100 with a marshall 4x12...1.17 had more bottom end and sounded hotter...but it's my opinion...the first time i used my hd 100 with the new firmware, my keyboard player asked me to lowering, lowering, lowering.....the highs!!!!!!!!....all my band was in agreement with him.!!!!!!!

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by Apologist on 2011-04-04 13:09:09

You could do a restore to factory defaults but you better have backed up all of your patches because you will lose everything as Amp will return to original condition it was first received in.

Also ...2.0 for HD100 owners is perfect, IMO, and I agree with JWS..

The thing is you will have to adjust after updating 2.0 as your patches are not going to sound the same ... but this is a good thing as bass response isn't as ridiculous and there's much more room for adjustment of lower mids... so when you turn up to band volume you get waaaaay better tone rather than sooo much bass that no matter how low u went with it bass was overwhelming.

Of course if you dont readjust eq of patches after updating to 2.0 your tones will now sound like they have no bottom and too many thin highs which will cause piercing horrible ear bleed at band volume ... just adjust accordingly much easier sweet spots for those with HD100 and a 4x12

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by dmelin on 2011-04-04 18:04:34

So here I go. I bought this amp and I am in agreement with everyone in this post. I also own the spider valve mk1 and had a tube issue which caused my amp not to power up before a show one night.I love the tone of my mk!!!! I decided to upgraded to the mk2 for more flexibility and reliabilty. side by side when I first purchased the amp it was night and day. The mk1 has a real tube amp tone the new one sounded shrill and overdriven all the time. I upgraded to 2.0 and the volume knob went retarded (very touchy and uncontrollable), I downgraded to 1.5 software and the volume issue was fixed. The amp still sounded thin and tinny not good at all. Then I came upon this post and tried the 1.17 version. Well how about that same tone as my mk1 or pretty damned close! So now I am very pissed off!!! I just dropped $1275.00 on this amp and new fbv mk2 foot contoller and I have my old amp. The upgrades are useless if to get the tone I want its none upgradeable, to allow use of the editing software and use of the new effects I thought i bought with this amp. I use alot of the presets on my mk1 as they fit the bill for playing in a cover band. I can't transfer them to the new amp ! this

"!ucking sucks" . I really hope that a Line6 Rep see's this and replies. Put and old mk1 and a new mk2 side by side and do some comparisons and you will see what we all mean. Take the Spider mk1 and give it the effects of my pod 2.0 without changing the voicing of the amp and I think you might have a winner. Either that or create a real update without screwing up the original tone and voicing of the amp that way I can actually use the upgrades and get the flexibility I thought I bought. I will be returning this amp by the weeks end and going to a more professional unit say like the Fractal Audio Axe/Fx. If there were a fix for this amp I might reconsider keeping it, But I am just one guy and it the scheme of things why keep me and a few others happy. And please give me a real email address so I feel like I am getting some real support instead of having to bad mouth your company in a forum. I will keep playing my mk1 live till I find a company I am happy with and has really good support.

dmelin

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by mindjulian76 on 2011-04-05 12:26:26

i desagree with yours opinion on firmware 2.00..simply sound thin. high gain setting, in particular were fantastic in 1.17, but after update...bleah!!!!!also trying to adjust the eq setting...sound thin!!!!!!!and no warmer at all!!!

bye bye!

Re: Gone back to 1.17 firmware AGAIN!!!!!!
by mindjulian76 on 2011-05-24 04:00:32

hi !!!!!! rock and roll to everyone!!!!!!!!!!now i tried and tried 2.00 for the 2^ time! and rock and roll the 2.00 firmware really rock!thanks line 6!!!!!now i'have the best sounding amp on the planet! good work line 6!!!!!!thanks

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